Hydrangea plant named ‘BC6.1’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BC6.1’ originated as a controlled cross between unpatented varieties. The cultivar ‘BC6.1’ can be blue or red depending on the acidity of the soil and the presence of aluminum. The variety ‘BC6.1’ has large attractive inflorescences with large sepalous florets, distinct sepal pigmentation and good commercial characteristics. When grown in the presence of aluminum, the under side of the sepals is R.H.S. 86 A (violet group), the underside of the sepals is R.H.S. 88 D (violet group).

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC6.1’.

Variety denomination: ‘BC6.1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theSaxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangeamacrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC6.1’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled crossbetween the unpatented variety known as ‘LK49’ which was the seed parentand the unpatented, commercial variety ‘Amsterdam’ which was the pollenparent. ‘LK49’ is relatively compact plant with wiry stems, relativelysmall leaves, relatively small sepalous florets, and inflorescences thatare resistant to being damaged by conditions in commercial coolers.‘Amsterdam’ is a relatively compact plant with relatively thick stems,relatively large leaves, and medium sized sepalous florets. Theinflorescences of ‘Amsterdam’ are not particularly resistant to beingdamaged by conditions in commercial coolers.

The variety ‘BC6.1’ has large attractive inflorescences with relativelylarge sepalous florets, attractive sepal pigmentation and goodcommercial characteristics. The variety ‘BC6.1’ has pigmented sepals,and was grown under pH conditions that produce blue pigmentation. Thecolor of the sepals changes as the plant ages. Below is a tablecomparing the new variety to similar varieties. The variety ‘Grace’,which is the subject of U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No.12/930,413 was developed during the same cross as ‘BC6.1’ and has thesame seed parent and same pollen parent.

TABLE 1 patent applica- tion Pending U.S. Plant U.S. Plant Ser. No. Pat.No. Pat. No. New Variety 12/930,413 18,593 22,575 ‘BC6.1’ ‘Grace’ ‘TrueBlue’ ‘Galilee’ Leaf size 12 cm wide × 13 cm wide × Unknown 13.5 cm 15cm long 16 cm long wide × 21 cm long Stem Stems are Stems are StrongStrong strength strong but strong but benefit from benefit from beingstaked being staked Sepal Upperside of Upperside of Both sides R.H.S.100 B Pigmen- sepals is sepals is R.H.S. of sepalsa (blue group). tationR.H.S. 86 A 63 A (red- are R.H.S. Produces blue (violet group); purplegroup); 100 D pigmentation Underside of Underside of (blue group). withrelatively sepals is sepals is R.H.S. little alumina R.H.S. 88 D 63 D(red- (violet group) purple group) Sepal 60 mm to 70 70 mm to 100 50 mmto 60 mm Floret mm mm 60 mm Size

The new cultivar ‘BC6.1’ has been successfully asexually reproducedunder controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay,Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishingcharacteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttingswere taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexuallyreproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. showthat the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BC6.1’remains firmly fixed through three generations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show thetypical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a close-up view of a sepalous floret of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit,dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit,dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of a sepalous floret of the new variety.

FIG. 7 is a close-up view of the upperside of a panicle of the newvariety.

FIG. 8 is a close-up view of the center of a panicle of the new variety,showing sepalous florets and non-sepalous florets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures are approximately 50 weeks old. Theplant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. Thecuttings were placed in a pot and the soil was periodically treated withaluminum to produce blue pigmentation. The plant was pinched early topromote lateral branches.

‘BC6.1’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Colordeterminations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.)Colour Chart, in association with the Flower Council of Holland, locatedin Lieden.

THE PLANT

-   Origin: Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a seedling    from a controlled cross between the unpatented variety known as    ‘LK49’ which was the seed parent and the unpatented, commercial    variety ‘Amsterdam’ which was the pollen parent.-   Form: Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature    inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 15″ high (with    stakes) and has a diameter of 18″ when grown in a 6″ pot with    appropriate soil amendments. The pictured plant had three stems with    one inflorescence per stem with 1 cutting per pot.-   Growth: Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is large. The    plant branches easily with shoots forming at the base of the plant.    Lateral branches are similar in appearance and form to the main    stems.-   Stems: Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet    group) and are 1 to 2 mm long. The surface of young stems is    glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young    stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 144 A (green group). The    older portions of the stems are R.H.S. 199 B (grey-brown group)    Younger portions of the stems are 7 to 9 mm in diameter. Older    portions of the stems are 7 to 9 mm in diameter.-   Foliage: Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral branches.    -   -   Shape of leaf.—Elliptic with acute base and apex. Margins            are serrate.        -   Texture.—Glabrous; veins dominate on the underside of the            leaf and are sunken on the upper leaf surface.        -   Color.—Mature leaves have an upper side that is R.H.S. 147 A            (yellow-green group), and an under side that is R.H.S. 138 B            (green group). Leaves are pinnately veined. The midvein and            veins branching off the midvein are large and prominent on            the underside of the leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 138 B (green            group). Leaves are as wide as 12 cm and 15 cm long. Petioles            are smooth and 2.5-3.5 cm long and 4 mm wide. Petioles are            R.H.S. 138 B (green group).

BUDS

-   Form: Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals. Most    buds have 4 petals, whether they will mature into sepalous or    non-sepalous florets. Buds in the center of the inflorescence are    non-sepalous. The majority of buds will develop into sepalous    florets. They are approximately 1 mm by 1 mm when very young. Buds    can be 4 mm in diameter and still be unopened.-   Aspect: Smooth.-   Arrangement: Borne on branched panicles.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Form: Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 100 individual flowers    (florets) per inflorescence. Both sepalous florets and non-sepalous    florets borne on same panicle. Flowers do not produce a fragrance.    The peduncle for the inflorescence is strong and upright. Very few    non-sepalous florets developing early on cymes that are later hidden    by sepalous florets. Florets, both sepalous and non-sepalous, have    anthers and style. Inflorescences are long-lasting, up to six weeks.-   Size of inflorescence: Large and globose. Individual inflorescence    size is dependent on the number of florets. A typical inflorescence    can grow as large as 8″ in diameter, and be 4″ high.-   Shape: Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets overlap    one another. Sepals are persistent.-   Appearance: Showy.

FLORETS

-   General: The non-sepalous florets at the center of the inflorescence    open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets are perfect and    complete.    -   -   Corolla.—Generally, for both sepalous and non-sepalous            florets there are 4 petals which fall off as flower matures.            Petals are typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Pedicel length            for non-sepalous florets averages 4 mm. Pedicel length of            sepalous florets is between 30 and 40 mm in length for            plants of this age. Pedicels of both sepalous and            non-sepalous florets continue to elongate as the            inflorescence ages. Lenticels are present on pedicels,            lenticels are no more than 1 mm long. Lenticels of both            sepalous and non-sepalous florets are primarily R.H.S. 59 B            (red-purple group) and R.H.S. 64 B (red-purple group).            Pedicel of both sepalous and non-sepalous florets are            primarily 96 C (violet-blue group) and 83 A (violet group).-   Stamens: 8 stamens. Pollen is R.H.S. 155 C (white group). Plant    produces abundant pollen. Filament is approximately 2 to 3 mm long.    Filament is R.H.S. 155 C (white group). Anther is 1 mm long and is    regular and basally attached.-   Stigma: Two to three style each, although most florets have two    style. Each style has one stigma. Style is typically 2 mm long.    Style is R.H.S. 151 C (yellow-green group). Stigma is R.H.S. 92 A    (violet-blue group).-   Ovary: Ovary is partially inferior.-   Sepalous florets:    -   -   General.—Veins dominate on the underside of the sepals.        -   Number of sepals.—4 or 5 sepals per floret, usually 4.        -   Aspect of sepals.—Smooth and glaucescent.        -   Shape of sepals.—Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are            entire, but with some crenation.        -   Size of sepals.—As the florets mature, the sepals enlarge            and overlap each other more and more, until, often, there is            no space between the sepals when the petals of the florets            open. Sepals at maturity are typically 4.0 cm long and 4.0            cm wide. Flowers are typically 6 to 7 cm in diameter. The            uppersides of the sepals are R.H.S. 86 A (violet group) and            the undersides are R.H.S. 88 D (violet group). Blue            pigmentation develops at the tips of the sepals and travels            inward towards base of the sepals.-   Fruit: None.-   Disease and pest resistance: Unknown.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BC6.1’substantially as herein shown and described.